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[lukeandbrookesmom]

Dave Ramsey's take on the gas prices:


Real Debt Help - Dave Ramsey's May 2008 Newsletter

[rescuesk]

I got that in the newsletter, too. It's an interesting way to look at it. I know we have re-structured our budget to help with the gas prices (DH commutes about 1000 miles a week) but it still takes a big bite, and has made debt-reduction a bit slower.

[FanOfMickey]

I am trying to walk as much as possible for some errands. Like going to the library, or drugstore. I wish I could bike to work, but work is a bit to far for that.

[wheatenwalker]

There is no where that I can walk and no public transportation for me too use to get to my job. I definitley am condensing my trips and trying not to go anywhere idf I dont have to but I have to drive toget to work/stores. My only option would be to sell this house and buy one in the city and work from home,not a viable option at this point.

[graygables]

I'm flying to my shows in June. It's cheaper than driving the van even without the trailer, which is just INSANE. Hubby has to drive his truck (10mpg) to get to work. I only go somewhere when I absolutely have to and then I try to combine all my errands. into one trip (we live 8 miles from town). It's not that we have the American love affair with our vehicles, we DEPEND on them for our jobs.

[Pamajama]

What happens when you have already live without coffee, only have basic cable TV, only drive to work and back. (my car has been in the driveway all weekend)

I also buy in bulk and try to do all my errands while on the way to work. lets not forget online banking ( no stamps) I am even in the process of selling my house to move to the town where my husband works. It is silly for the both of us to travel 30+ miles (each way) a day for work. by doing this we will save a lot on gas. We also bought our house way before the housing market crashed so we have a lot of equity in it. So selling and buying a house in the same price range seems to be a smart move. Also my moving to the new town we save on child care- no need to pay extra for after school programs. DH can pick up the kids at the end of his shift.

These are just some of the things my family has done to adjust to the rising cost of gas, home heating fuel, groceries etc.

Has anyone else noticed how much food has increased in price? last week everything I bought was between .19 and .39 cents more than last week!!!!

Anyway, that guys article sorta annoys me. Like Duh!!! Captain obvious!!!

[Danielle Harmon]

I am currently trying to get my unit to implement car pools and incentives for people to bike to work. The cost of gas is ridiculous and we waste a lot just for driving back and forth to work...even on days we are supposed to be off-duty. (trying to get them to reduce that kind of stuff too...but that is like herding cats.)

[graygables]

Originally Posted by Danielle Harmon

I am currently trying to get my unit to implement car pools and incentives for people to bike to work. The cost of gas is ridiculous and we waste a lot just for driving back and forth to work...even on days we are supposed to be off-duty. (trying to get them to reduce that kind of stuff too...but that is like herding cats.)

Wow, Danielle, I'm surprised a base hasn't already implemented something like that. Even before the whole embargo thing in the 70s, our units had something like that already in place. We lived on the remote site, so a lot of the men from our housing complex carpooled and most of the men who lived on the main site biked or walked. Once the embargo started, we had gas rations (coupon booklets) and NO ONE could drive on Sunday unless it was an emergency. The MPs didn't mess around with that one...

I hope you're able to herd those cats!

[simbarel]

Originally Posted by Pamajama

What happens when you have already live without coffee, only have basic cable TV, only drive to work and back. (my car has been in the driveway all weekend)

Those are some of my thoughts, too. Back in January I went from drive-thru coffee to homemade coffee, then in March I just gave it up altogether. We don't have cable at all, and since April our car has become within the 18-month Dave Ramsay payoff permission realm (we have less than 18 months left on the loan.)

We're centrally located and can buy/do most anything in a 4-mile radius, and I also work by the mall so I do tend bulk-up any mall duties with my work schedule---but I did notice yesterday that it was the first time we decided to not do something (drive to the coast) because of what we would have spent in fuel.

[emtpej]

I already take the commuter bus to work. Now, it will be crowded with people 'discovering' it for the first time, now their pocketbook is on the line instead of cleaner air and fewer cars on the road. The state is making a token effort to add more buses, but it won't be enough if many more people start riding. And there is still the question of enough safe / secure parking...
I already make coffee at home and at work. Our cars are already paid off, and we are re-financing... maybe I should start a web-based financial advice site, too...
I wonder if Ben Stein needs any helpers in DC...

[Danielle Harmon]

Originally Posted by graygables

Wow, Danielle, I'm surprised a base hasn't already implemented something like that. Even before the whole embargo thing in the 70s, our units had something like that already in place. We lived on the remote site, so a lot of the men from our housing complex carpooled and most of the men who lived on the main site biked or walked. Once the embargo started, we had gas rations (coupon booklets) and NO ONE could drive on Sunday unless it was an emergency. The MPs didn't mess around with that one...

I hope you're able to herd those cats!

Dawn,

On base at Lakenheath there are a lot of opportunities like this, ut I work at an out-lying base and live even farther out. Most of us do. Round-trip for me to ride my bike would be 12 miles. There are no embargos on gas anymore and folks just don't carpool...although they may start. I just wish our military would do things to give people incentive to conserve. Someone who bicycles to work should have it counted as a PT session...because it is!

Being me, I'll fight it until I either get told off or someone does something just to shut me up. Either way I'll make my point! Regardless, I am going to ride.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

Originally Posted by Pamajama

What happens when you have already live without coffee, only have basic cable TV, only drive to work and back. (my car has been in the driveway all weekend)

I also buy in bulk and try to do all my errands while on the way to work. lets not forget online banking ( no stamps) I am even in the process of selling my house to move to the town where my husband works. It is silly for the both of us to travel 30+ miles (each way) a day for work. by doing this we will save a lot on gas. We also bought our house way before the housing market crashed so we have a lot of equity in it. So selling and buying a house in the same price range seems to be a smart move. Also my moving to the new town we save on child care- no need to pay extra for after school programs. DH can pick up the kids at the end of his shift.

These are just some of the things my family has done to adjust to the rising cost of gas, home heating fuel, groceries etc.

Has anyone else noticed how much food has increased in price? last week everything I bought was between .19 and .39 cents more than last week!!!!

Anyway, that guys article sorta annoys me. Like Duh!!! Captain obvious!!!

Sorry - I didn't mean to annoy anyone or start a controversary There are a few poeple here in this thread that follow Dave's plan and I thought it may be helpful.
I don't think the article was really meant for people like you who are already doing things to combat the high prices - and like most of us here on this thread. Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious to people and they need to see it in black and white. We've paid down almost $20K in debt since January 1st this year by following his plans and although I had heard of his advice before I never tried to follow it until I read his books and started getting these newletters. I think a lot of people mistake needs for wants and until they fully understand which is which in their own lives they will be stuck with debt. Like you, we still have basic cable but we know it is a want and not a need. We keep it because we can continue our plan with it in the budget - others may not be able to do that.

[Pamajama]

Originally Posted by lukeandbrookesmom

Sorry - I didn't mean to annoy anyone or start a controversary There are a few poeple here in this thread that follow Dave's plan and I thought it may be helpful.
I don't think the article was really meant for people like you who are already doing things to combat the high prices - and like most of us here on this thread. Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious to people and they need to see it in black and white. We've paid down almost $20K in debt since January 1st this year by following his plans and although I had heard of his advice before I never tried to follow it until I read his books and started getting these newletters. I think a lot of people mistake needs for wants and until they fully understand which is which in their own lives they will be stuck with debt. Like you, we still have basic cable but we know it is a want and not a need. We keep it because we can continue our plan with it in the budget - others may not be able to do that.

Hi Judi

YOU didn't annoy me.

I just think it is time for the "Powers that be" aka our government to step in and do something for the people who are in far more desperate shape than I. We are in pretty good shape actually, but if fuel prices go up at the rate they are predicting......I think a lot of people are going to become desperate and that will translate into more crime, homeless, etc.

People like Dave seem to be advising people that a bandage is going to cure leprosy

[rescuesk]

I didn't take offense, either! We are trying to follow Dave's program, but it's hard when your income stays the same and EVERYTHING goes up. You can only cut back so much!

Has anyone else noticed how much food has increased in price? last week everything I bought was between .19 and .39 cents more than last week!!!!

It is unbelievable! Frozen veggie boxes (like Green Giant or Bird'e Eye) wer $1.35 at the beginning of the year. Then they went to $1.69. Then $1.99. This weekend they are up to $2.09! Thank goodness summer is here, and fresh stuff is appearing. I think I need to learn to can!!

[simbarel]

I do think that Dave's followers probably have already examined their needs and wants, with a fine-tooth comb even, and Sue is exactly right...we still make the same, but everything else is going up. I can't think of anything else I can cut...with no cable/no restaurants/no coffee/no vending machines/no mall/all Freecycle/no disposible diapers/no nights out/etc. It's going to be a very merry homespun Christmas. BUT! We are paying for our upcoming trip in cash, and we're able to do so from savings from The Grocery Game. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it seriously works for us. Yesterday I saved $94.97 off the bill, and it's all stuff we eat. Our cupboards are never bare and we're saving a conservative $200/month, my DH bows to me whenever I come home from the grocery store.